Cooling and condensing apparatus



(No Model.) y 2 sheets-sheer 1.

A Y W. PLUMER.

GOGLING AND GONDBNs-ING APPARATUS.

Patented Sept. A27, 1881.

l W l g (62% Yi/afwas (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. PLUMER.

GOOLING AND VGONDENSIATG APPARATUS. No. 247,578. Y Patented Sept. 27,1881.v

N. PETERS. Pnum-umngmpher. wnshingwn. n. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

WILLIAM PLUMER, OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COOLING AND coNDENsING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersI Patent No. 247,578, dated September 27, 1881.

Application tiled May 11, 1881.

To all whom t may concerm Be it known that I, WILLIAM PLUMER, of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cooling and Gondensing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof'.

My invention relates to cooling and condensing devices, and will be fully described here` inafter. g

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical crosssection of my device. Fig. 2 is a vertical lon-1 gitudinal section of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4 are details.

The object of my invention, as shown, is the condensation of steam and volatile substances, the cooling of liquids, and the cooling of build-A ings for comfort or refrigerative and preservative purposes by one and the same meansnamely, by effecting a change from a certain existing temperature to the required temperattireinvolving in all these processes but one and the same principle, which is the production ot' the required low temperature by the rapid conversion of a volatile liquid or cooling mixture into a gas or vapor and condensing the same for continued use, and thereby necessarily producing cold by extracting heat from the surrounding bodies; and my machine and process, by the most simple adaptation, obvious to those familiar to the several arts involved, is equally and generally adapted to cool steam, vapor, gas, air, liquids, and solid products.

One of the uses to which my apparatus is best adapted is the manufacture of ice, and in this case my condensing apparatus can be substituted for the condenser of any known icemachine without especial adaptation or rearrangement of any of the parts. It may also be used for the condensation. of steam, and when thus employed the danger which might arise from the sudden expansion of gas is avoided by removing the gas as fast as it is made by means of alarge pipe, from three to four inches in diameter, connecting the two chambers. By this construction and the cooling process in chamber B, and the pump which constantly draws oft' the chemicals-in a condensed form, there is no pressure of gas whatever, and I make thus a very fair vacuum and (No model.)

am enabled to use my apparatus for steam or any hot vapors with perfect safety.

Inasmuch as I do notclaim toV have discovered any new principle, but have merely devised new apparatus to carry out the well-established principle herein first named, I will now, without further digression, proceed to describe the construction and mode of operation of my device.

A is the refrigerati'ng chamber or cylinder, constructed of heavy boiler-iron, and is provided with two inner metallic heads, G G', connected by several horizontal rows of copper or other metallic tubes, c e, which are from threefourths of an inch to one inch in diameter, accordin g to the capacity required. These tubes are made gas and steam tight at the points where they are inserted into the metallic heads G G', and these heads are fitted perfectly tight 7o inside the chamber A, leaving a space, V', about two inches in width, at the left-hand end of the chamber A, and a somewhat wider space at the right-hand end, into which latter space a third head, I, is tightly itted quite close to the head G, but not touching it, thus leaving a narrow space between the heads G and I, and a twoinch space,V, between the head I and the outer head, L. Through the head I small metallic tubes m m, about one-eighth of inch in diame- 8o ter and perforated with minute holes, are inserted, each tube m passing through the larger tubes e, (within which they are supported by a ring provided with centering-points n, as shown in the detail views, Figs. 3 and 4,) and 85 thence passing out into the left-hand space, V', this end'of each small tube on being closed by a cap, all as shown in Fig. 2. Each end of the chamber A is closed with tight but removable heads L and L', respectively. 9o The interior of the chamber A, between the heads G G', is separated into five or more divisions in this manner. Between each hori' zontal row of tubes e e, I place imperforate division-plates c c', the plates c extending from 95 the head G' almost to the head G, underneath the rst and third rows of tubes,while the plates c' extend from the head G nearly to the head G', underneath the s econd and fourth rows, so that the air, gas, vapor, steam, or other liuid Ioo to be refrigerated which enters the chamber A through the pipe c must pass several times through its entire length, as indicated by the arrows, before it reaches the outlet-pipe K, thus giving it ample time to be cooled or condensed. As the material to be condensed or refrigerated flows from pipe a it will fall through the top row vof tubes c to plate c and be carried just beneath the tubes almost to head G, and then fall upon the second row ot' tubes, and through this row upon plate o', and thus be carried back toward head G', and so on until there is a steady iiow of the material to be refrigeratedabout all the tubes and beneath each row, and, finally, out through pipe K into pump R. Now, to extract the heat from this material as it flows through chamber A, I supply the space V between the heads I and L with a fluid from tank C,which is located above the chamber Aand within or surrounded bya larger' tank, H, as shown.

The inner tank, C, is intended to contain a chemical refrigerating-liquid, volatilein its nature, so as to be easily vaporized, although water may be employed with satisfactory results.

- This cooling-duid tiows from the tank C through the pipe h into the space V in the right-hand end of chamber A, filling this space and iiowing thence into the perforated pipes m, from whence, by reason ofthe pressure from the tank C, assisted by the vacuum formed by the section of pump D, as hereinafter explained, it is forced through the minute perforations in the tubes m., in the form cfa tine spray, against the inner sides of the tubes e, where it at once becomes vaporized, as hereinafter described, and passes into the space V between the heads G' and L', whence it is drawn otf by the pump D through the piped, chamberB, and pipe o, and forced back by said pump D and pipe b, in a liquid or semi-liquid state, into the tank C, to be again used as before.

When the refrigerating Huid makes its exit from tubes e into space V' it is in the form of vapor, having been vaporized by the heat of the material being cooled, and since, by means of the pump D, it is withdrawn very rapidly, evaporation takes place as soon as the spray from tubes m has come into contact with the inner sides ofthe tubes c, and, of course, when this vapor leaves tubes c it will carry with it a large amount of caloric extracted from the material to be cooled, and by the time this material has reached the outlet-pipe K its temperature will have been reduced to a freezingpoint, especially if either or any very volatile fluid is fed from the tank C.

In order that the refrigerating iiuid may be saved and used over again the second chamber, B, is provided, constructed in this manner: Itis made of heavy boiler-iron and closed with tight but detachable heads L" L", similar in nature to those in chamber A, and tight inner heads, I' I', are fitted therein, leaving a two-inch space at each end, between each pair of outer and inner heads. The chambers A and B are to be covered preferably with any suitable non-conducting material. The inner heads are connected by ve or more horizontal rows of copper or similar metallic tubes, F F, from three-fourths of an inch to one inch in diameter, and the two-inch spaces between each inner and outer head are divided by partitions P, forming the chambers T, W', and U' at the left-hand end of the chamber B, and the chambers W, U, and U" at the right-h and end.

Above each row of tubes F, I tix a perforated plate, O, which extends to each side of the chamber B, and is secured to and supported by the inner heads, I' I', and below each row ot' tubes I fix an imperforate plate, E, that extends to each side of the chamber B, and is likewise supported by the heads I' I' at its ends.

A water-pipe, N, leading from tank H, conveys a stream through branches g g to the top of each of the perforated plates O, from whence it falls upon the tubes F, immediately below, and thence onto the imperforate plates E, to be drained off by branches g' g' into the discharge-pipe D, by which it is carried olf after extracting the heat from the refrigerating-fluid, which, as it enters the chamber B, passes through the upper row of tubes to chamber WV, then back through the next row to chamber W', then returns through the next row of tubes to chamber U, and so back and forward, as shown by the arrows, until chamber U" is reached, from whence it is drawn by pump D to be forced up into the tank C in a fluid or semi-fluid state, to be again used, as already described. I design placing one or more stopeoeks in each of the pipes for regulating the ilow of its contents.

It will be seen that I may reuse indefinitely a given quantity of the refrigerating-tiuid in the extraction of the caloric from the material treated, since I in turn extract the heat from the refrigerating-tluid in its passage through the chamber B, a portion of the heat from the first row of tubes in chamber B being taken up by the stream of water from the top branch, g, of pipe N, and carried out by the top branch, g', of pipe D', without contact with the second row, and thus cold water is carried over and around the tubes of each row throughout the whole series. The tank II maybe fed with water from any convenient source, and is to be kept constantly full during the operation of my device.

My process and apparatus will be found equally serviceable for all purposes where a considerable reduction ot' temperature is necessary-such as the condensation of steamand it may be attached to condensing-engines, driers, and vacuum-pans. It is useful in condensing vapors of various kinds into uidsas in distilling oil, rum, Steand is also applicable to icemaking, cooling beer, cooling air for preserving animal and vegetable substances, both while stored for use and during transportation-as in cars or shipsin desiccating processes, and also in purifying air in buildings.

The tank C is perferably made of heavy boiler-iron to better adapt it for containing ether IOO IOS

IIO

IIS

or other volatile uid, while the water-tank H, which surrounds it, as shown, is ordinarily made of wood, the said tank H being higher than the tank C, and thus affording additional security in providing a water-seal for the said tank C and its volatile contents.

It is obvious that instead of providing the pipe D and branches g', I may dispense with this device, and by extending the imperforate plates E nearly but not quite to the right-hand side of the chamber B (shown in Fig. l) a single pipe at the point occupied by the lowest branch g' will suflice to empty the water from the chamber B, as it would fall between the edges of the plates E and the inner periphery of the chamber instead of passing out at each branch g into the pipe D.

Having thus described my invention,whatI claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Iatent, is-

l. In a cooling or condensing chamber, the combination of aseries of imperforatetubes arranged in horizontal rows, one row above the other, a series of perforated tubes passing through the imperforate tubes, a pipe for supplying the refrigerating-Huid to the perforated tubes at one end of the cooling and condensing chamber, and an outlet for the same at the other end, with a pipe for admitting the material to be cooled or condensed within the chamber above the upper series of horizontal tubes, and another for discharging the same, as set forth.

2. In a cooling or condensing chamber, the combination of a series of tubes arranged in horizontal rows, one row above the other, a series of perforated plates above each row of tubes, and a series of imperforate plates beneath each row, with a vertical series of chambers connecting with each horizontal `row of tubes at each end of the chamber, and suitable inlet and outlet pipes for admitting the material to be cooled within the chamber and for discharging the same when cooled, respectively, as shown and described.

3. The condensing-chamber A, consisting of a cylinder and detachable outer heads, in combination with tight inner heads, Gr', G, and I, horizontal tubes e, vperforated tubes m, im perforate plates c c', inlet-pipes a h, and outletpipes d K, the Whole arranged as shown, and for the purpose described.

4. The condensing-chamber B, consisting of a cylinder and detachable outer heads,incom `bination with tight inner heads, I I,partitions P between each pair of outer and inner heads, tubes F, perforated plates O, imperforate plates E, and suitable inlet and outlet pipes, as shown and described.

5. The combination of the cylinder B, provided with outer and inner heads, partitions P, tubes F, perforated plates O, imperforate plates E, and suitable inlet and outlet pipes, withthe water-pipeN,having suitable branches, andthe discharge-pipe D and its connections, as shown and described.

f6. The combination of the cylinders A and B, constructed as described, with the tank O, water-tank H, surrounding the tank C, water-pipe N, pumps D and R, and the' inlet and outlet and connecting pipes, as shown and described.

7. In a cooling or condensing chamber, the combination of a series of imperforate tubes arranged in horizontal rows between two inner heads with a series of perforated tubes passing through theimperforate tubes and projecting beyond them, as shown and described.

8. In a cooling or condensing chamber, the combination of the imperforate tubes e with the perforated tubes m, provided with supporting-rings and centering-points, whereby the said tubes m are sustained within the said tubes e, as shown and described.

9. The process of coolingand condensing air, gas, vapor, steam, or other iiuid by conducting the material to be cooled around a series of imperforate-tubes within a chamber and forcing arefrigeratin g-fluid in the form of spray against the inner sides of said tubes from perforated tubes placed within the imperforate tubes, as described.

10. The process of extracting the heat from a refrigerating-Huid which has been used to cool other uids without physical contact therewith, consisting in passing the said refrigeratin g-uid continuously through a series of tubes' arranged in horizontal rows within a chamber, and forcing cold water in a tine spray upon each row ot' tubes, independently, and discharging the waterwithoutperniittin g the saine water to fall on a second row of tubes after cooling nagainst a series of imperforated pipes placed `tlierein, the refrigerating-fluid being forced in IOO IIO

a fine spray against the inner sides of said Y pipes, becoming vaporized from such contact, and then being drawn oft', in a heated state, from this chamber into another chamber, and conducted through a series of pipes against which cold water is forcedin a spray, and then conducting the said refrigerating agent, thus cooled, to its original place for reuse, and drawing oi' the material cooled in the first chamber, all in one continuous operation, as described. v

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of May, 1881.

WILLIAM PLUMER. Witnesses:

F. H. TORREY, H. C. TORREY. 

